Efficacy of Conventional, Immune-Botanical and Egg Yolk Mixture on the Management of Diseases and Insect Pests of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. in Uganda

Vegetables are important for nutrition and health, however, production in sub-Saharan Africa is low, partly due to disease and pest damage. Three integrated pest management (IPM) packages: Conventional, Immune-Botanical and Egg yolk mixture were evaluated for control of tomato diseases and insect pests. During 2017A and 2017B seasons, there were no significant differences in severity of Bacterial wilt (Xanthomonas campestris pv solanacearum), bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria), early blight (Alternaria solani), late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (TYLCV) as influenced by the interactive effect of differences in variety and IPM package. Plots treated with conventional package had lower severity scores for TYLCV. Variety MT 56 and Pink-top were the best performers. There were significant differences in insect pest damage due to cutworms and Thrips in 2017A, and Aphids and Thrips in 2017B due to differences in variety and IPM package. Egg yolk significantly reduced thrips damage among different tomato varieties while conventional method significantly reduced aphid damage. Conventional package induced the highest fruit yield for MT 56 in 2017A and Pink-top in season 2017B. Both conventional and Egg yolk methods were cost effective and are therefore recommended for control of tomato insect pests and diseases.